No flag-hoisting in Kashmir on India’s Republic Day

The state administration in Indian-administrated Kashmir has observed India’s 60th Republic Day without hoisting the national flag.

Senior state officials said that hoisting the banner was seen as a “needless provocation” to the separatist elements in the area, The Times of India reported on Wednesday.

A high state of alert was in place on Tuesday at Lal Chowk, the heart of heavily guarded Srinagar and the site of celebrations.

Most people stayed indoors in response to a strike called by separatists.

Kashmir has seen violent clashes between protestors and security forces over the past few weeks.

Meanwhile, all mobile phone services were jammed in the Jammu region to prevent coordinated attacks on sensitive installations.

Addressing a function commemorating Republic Day, Indian officials blamed Pakistan for the unrest in the scenic valley.

“During past two decades, the growth of extremist ideologies and terrorist activities, sponsored and supported from across our frontiers, have resulted in enormous human and economic losses,” Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra said.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars and engaged in a number of smaller conflicts since independence from British rule in 1947.

Analysts say the frequent street protests of the past two years are giving new life to the liberation movement in the disputed Himalayan region.

The Republic Day of India commemorates the day when the Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950.